Configuring iFolder on a Clustered Volume

Novell Cool Solutions: Feature

If you've got a Clustered Volume in place and would like to add iFolder to the mix, here's how to do it.

About Clustering

Novell Cluster Services allows you to configure up to 32 NetWare servers into a high-availability cluster, where resources can be dynamically switched or moved to any server in the cluster. Resources can be configured to automatically switch or be moved in the event of a server failure, or can be moved manually to troubleshoot hardware or balance the workload.

Novell Cluster Services provides high availability and lower costs through the consolidation of applications and operations onto a cluster. The ability to manage a cluster from a single point of control and to adjust resources to meet changing workload requirements (thus, manually "load balance" the cluster) are also important benefits.

You can also reduce unplanned service outages and reduce planned outages for software and hardware maintenance and upgrades.

Configuring iFolder in Cluster

1. Create an NSS volume on a pool. If a pool already exists, make sure there is enough space on the pool for the NSS volume that will be made. For additional information on creating pools and NSS volumes refer to the product documentation for Novell Cluster Services (http://www.novell.com/documentation/lg/ncs6p/index.html).

2. Cluster enable the pool created in step 1. This will automatically cluster-enable the NSS volume created on the pool. This process also requires that an IP address be assigned to the clustered volume. Note the IP address as it will be needed later.

3. Once the cluster enabled volume has been created, create a folder on the clustered enabled volume. For example, if the cluster volume is called VOL1 create a folder on VOL1 called iFolder (VOL1:\iFolder).

4. Make sure iFolder is installed on each server within the cluster. Select one iFolder server and open the SYS:\APACHE\IFOLDER\SERVER\HTTPD_NW_ADDITIONS.CONF file with a text editor (like notepad).

5. There will be two areas within this file that must be modified. There is a section for a un-secured port (port 80, 51080, or 52080 by default) and then a second section for a secured port (port 443, 51443 or 52443 by default). First, in both the un-secured and secured sections change the VIRTUAL HOST setting to the IP address or DNS name assigned to the clustered volume. Next, in each area locate the LDAPHOST and change the DNS name or IP address to the IP address or DNS name assigned to the clustered volume. Finally, locate the IFOLDERSERVERROOT and change the directory path to the directory created in step 3 on the clustered volume (i.e. VOL1:\iFolder). Save the file then copy this conf file to each server in the cluster running iFolder.

6. On the same server open the SYS:\APACHE\IFOLDER\SERVER\HTTPD.CONF file with a text editor (like notepad).

7. Locate the listen statement (i.e. Listen 192.168.1.2:80) and change the IP address to the IP address of the clustered volume. Next, locate the SERVERNAME PARAMETER and change the DNS name to either the IP address of the clustered volume or the DNS name assigned to the clustered volume. Finally, at the end of the file locate the Secure Listen Statement (i.e. SecureListen 192.168.1.2:443 "SSL CertificateIP"). Again, change the IP address to match the IP address assigned to the clustered volume. Save the file then copy this conf file to each server in the cluster running iFolder.

8. Next, edit the AUTOEXEC.NCF file located in SYS:\SYSTEM and remark out the STARTIFOLDER line (i.e. # STARTIFOLDER).

9. From a workstation open ConsoleOne and browse to the cluster container object. Right-click the cluster volume resource and select Properties | IP Address. Verify that the IP address is the same as the address assigned to the cluster-enabled volume. Next, from the Properties dialogue box clic.k SCRIPTS | Cluster Resource Load Script. Add the following command to the end of the existing load script then select APPLY:

STARTIFOLDER

10. Next, click SCRIPTS | Cluster Resource Unload Script and add the following command to the beginning of the existing unload script then select APPLY:

STOPIFOLDER
DELAY 2

This completes the necessary steps for enabling iFolder to work against a clustered volume.